Category: Australian News

Novocastrians looking for a new career path still have time to apply for one of 14 roles as part of City of Newcastle’s annual intake of apprentices and trainees.

Applications close on Sunday 13 September for a range of positions, with roles available across various sectors including environment, horticulture, civil construction, heavy vehicle mechanics, business services, and customer experience.

Funding from the first two rounds of the NSW Government’s Fresh Start program has already enabled nine people to begin their training at City of Newcastle in 2025, with the next 14 recruits set to start in January 2026.

This will bring the total number of apprentices, trainees, graduates and undergraduates currently employed with City of Newcastle to 65.

CEO Jeremy Bath said City of Newcastle has become one of the largest employers of apprentices and trainees in the Hunter, helping to ensure our region possesses the necessary skills for the future.

“Since 2021, we have recruited more than 90 early career roles across the organisation, delivering successful applicants with on-the-job training and mentoring from highly skilled professionals while they obtain nationally accredited qualifications,” Mr Bath said.

“This has provided pathways into employment across a range of sectors from greenkeeping, civil construction, carpentry and heavy vehicle mechanics to information technology, customer service, planning and digital marketing.

“These roles are always highly sought after, with nine recently advertised positions attracting more than 314 applications from people eager to begin their careers with City of Newcastle.

“We look forward to welcoming the next 14 new faces early next year as we continue to foster a diverse and multi-generational workforce that will collaboratively shape the city where we work, live, and play.”

A total of 92 apprentices, trainees, cadets, graduates and undergraduates have been employed by City of Newcastle since 2021.

Roles have been recruited into priority areas across the organisation, including 25 positions within civil construction.

This reflects the significant growth in City of Newcastle’s annual capital works program, which has increased in the same period from $90 million in 2021/22 to $159 million in 2025/26.

Since 2021, 26 people have also gone on to secure ongoing employment with City of Newcastle following the completion of their training.

To view the 14 positions available head to the City of Newcastle website.

A bushfire initiative protecting culturally significant First Nations sites, a schools program helping children cope with floods and a cross-sector plan tackling heat hazards are among the NSW winners of the 2025 Resilient Australia Awards.

Every year, Australians face devastating impacts from disasters and emergencies. The NSW category of the Resilient Australia Awards is an opportunity to celebrate initiatives that are making communities safer, more connected and better prepared.

As the state convenor of the awards, the NSW Reconstruction Authority has brought together a judging panel made up of experts in disaster resilience.

Following today’s ceremony, at NSW Parliament, NSW winners will go on to represent the state at the national Resilient Australia Awards in Canberra later this year.

Full list of winners can be found below.

More information on the Resilient Australia Awards can be found at https://www.aidr.org.au/programs/resilient-australia-awards/

Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“In the wake of recent disasters, we’ve seen Australians rise to the challenge as individuals, communities and organisations working together to rebuild, support one another and strengthen our resilience.

“The Resilient Australia Awards are a chance to celebrate these efforts and ensure they don’t go unnoticed.

“Whether it’s a local council, a school, a research team or a community group, every contribution matters, helping to create more resilient communities for the future.”

NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said:

“These awards bring a spotlight to the remarkable resilience and innovation we see across NSW every day.

“It’s an honour to award and celebrate the individuals and groups whose efforts have helped us recover, adapt and thrive in the face of natural disasters.

“Their stories remind us that resilience is not just about bouncing back – it’s about being innovative and responsive to local needs and communities.”

The winners are:

Resilient Australia Community Award

Winner: Recovery Connect – Social Futures.

A Lismore-based support service delivering a pioneering model of disaster recovery to help people recover from natural disasters by building resilience through empowerment.

Highly commended:

Care2Prepare: inclusive household and community risk reduction – Carers NSW

Better Together – Community Connections – Community Connects South Shoalhaven and Business Milton Ulladulla.

Resilient Australia Business Award

Winner: Flood Defence Fund – Insurance Council of Australia.

A policy initiative that calls for the development of a $30.15 billion Flood Defence Fund to protect communities on the frontline of floods, while moderating insurance premiums and reducing future recovery costs.

Resilient Australia Government Award

Winner: Australian first Aboriginal Cultural Incident Management Exercise – NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Merrimans Local Aboriginal Land Council, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Crown Lands and NSW Rural Fire Service.

A hands-on exercise connecting First Nations rangers and emergency responders for real-time bushfire planning and response, ensuring cultural sites in southeast NSW are protected during emergencies.

Resilient Australia Local Government Award

Winner: Heat Taskforce: Heat Smart City Plan – Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC).

Sydney’s first multi-sector plan for heat hazard developed by a collaboration of leaders across health, planning, infrastructure, emergency management, community and corporate sectors.

Resilient Australia School Award

Winner: Our River – Richmond Agricultural Centre: Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Education.

A school program delivered in the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment to teach flood awareness through science, history and creative wellbeing activities and help students positively reconnect with the river and learn mental health coping mechanisms.

Resilient Australia Mental Health and Wellbeing Award

Winner: Resilient Kids: Empowered Young People Can Weather Life’s Biggest Storms – Social Futures.

A program launched in response to the devastating 2022 floods in Northern NSW, focusing on youth-centred mental health and wellbeing program.

Highly commended: The Resilient Kids Program: disaster risk reduction for the next generation – Health North Coast.

Resilient Australia Photography Award

Winner: Social Futures, Strong Mind in the Early Years Program – Catherine Piltz.

The photography category is decided by public vote via social media. This year’s winning image captures resilience through a moment of safety, trust and connection in early childhood disaster recovery.

The Albanese Government is continuing to invest in updates for Australia’s Defence estate with the unveiling of the McGee Building at Anglesea Barracks in Hobart, which will accommodate Defence’s customer service hotline. 

The new $20.8 million building offers contemporary facilities with flexible office spaces for approximately 50 Defence personnel.

The design of the McGee Building integrates modern working accommodation without detracting from the significant cultural heritage of Anglesea Barracks.

The facility commemorates Sergeant Lewis McGee (1888-1917), a proud Tasmanian who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on Broodseinde Ridge in the First World War, during the Ypres offensive in Belgium. 

Armed with only a revolver, Sergeant McGee single-handedly captured an enemy machine gun position, and led a bombing party to capture a second enemy machine gun post. Sergeant McGee was killed a week later at Passchendaele.

The McGee Building has been delivered as part of the Anglesea Barracks Mid-Term Refresh Project.

Assistant Minister for Defence, Peter Khalil:

“We’re continuing to invest in Australia’s Defence estate and infrastructure so sites like Anglesea Barracks meet the operational and capability requirements we need now and in the future.

“The completion of the McGee Building delivers a solid foundation for the modernisation of Defence’s essential customer service network in Tasmania.

“It’s also great to see the exceptional bravery demonstrated by Sergeant McGee honoured through the naming of this facility. His memory will serve as a reminder of his courage and sacrifice in service to our nation.”

Senator for Tasmania, Richard Dowling:

“The Australian Defence Force shares a long and rich history with the Hobart community, and today’s opening ceremony is recognition of that history.

“This $20.8m investment into new facilities at Hobart’s Anglesea Barracks has boosted the local construction industry and related small businesses, and will generate additional ongoing employment at the Barracks.

“This is the completion of the first phase of Defence site upgrades in Tasmania, with further refurbishment and construction to occur in Launceston.”

Today marks one year since the release of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which made 122 recommendations to reform the culture, systems and processes across the Defence and veteran eco-system to prevent suicide and improve the mental health and wellbeing of serving personnel and veterans.

The Albanese Government has made significant progress in response, with nine recommendations fully implemented and 110 other recommendations underway.

This is the result of intensive and collaborative work across Government, building on the work undertaken on recommendations from the Royal Commission’s Interim Report.

The Government’s focus has been on reforms that address the immediate health and safety of current and former serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families.

This includes establishing a new legislated oversight body, the Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission, which the Royal Commission called its most important recommendation. It will commence operations later this month.

Consultation and co-design work on a new agency for veteran wellbeing has been undertaken, and work is underway to establish it next year.

Work has already started on the terms of reference for the recommended inquiry into military sexual misconduct, with research to inform the inquiry also about to start.

This whole-of-Government effort on implementing the Royal Commission’s recommendations will continue at pace.

The anniversary coincides with the release of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) report on suicide rates among ADF personnel and veterans; a sobering reminder of the importance of implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission as soon as possible.

While one death is too many, it’s encouraging to see the suicide rate for ex-serving personnel has been declining in recent years.

Sadly, suicide remains the leading cause of death for younger and ex-serving members who separate from the ADF involuntarily, with higher rates of suicide than those who separate voluntarily.

This emphasises the importance of implementing Royal Commission recommendations to better support members in their transition as quickly as possible.

The findings of the 2025 AIHW report, together with the recommendations of the Royal Commission will help Defence and DVA better target our support.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, the Hon Matt Keogh MP:

“The Royal Commission provided a once-in-a-generation opportunity for cultural change and reform. We heard harrowing experiences throughout the three-year inquiry.

“The Albanese Government is implementing meaningful and lasting reform in response to the findings, to be overseen by the statutory Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission.

“Our focus has been, and will continue to be, on improving both the experience of our people and the supports in place for them and their families during and after service.”

Discussion of these issues may be distressing for some people. All serving and former ADF personnel and their families should know that if they need support, they can contact Open Arms for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 1800 011 046 or visit www.openarms.gov.au, or Lifeline on 13 11 14 or by visiting www.lifeline.org.au. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports are available on its website at www.aihw.gov.au

The full speech delivered to Parliament on 4 September 2025 is available online at: www.minister.defence.gov.au/speeches/2025-09-04/royal-commission-into-defence-veteran-suicide

Australia’s Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) has banned a former PwC boss over their links to the consultancy firm’s tax leaks scandal.

In August, the Government made public its decision to give PwC the green light to restart its bidding for federal contracts, following two inquiries into the tax leaks scandal which brought the entire consulting sector under a cloud. 

The Australian Greens welcome the TPB’s decision but say banning one bad apple won’t fix PwC’s culture. The Greens are urging Labor to support the Greens’ bill to ban dodgy contractors like PwC from accessing the public purse.

Greens spokesperson for finance Senator Barbara Pocock:

“This is yet another example of a senior leader not taking responsibility. The problem with PwC is that it’s not just one bad apple, it’s an organisational culture, a successive group of leaders, who have all contributed to this problem and they must all be held to account.

“Until now, we’ve only had assurances from PwC, after they conducted their own internal review. Having an organisational culture speaking for itself, absolving itself – where is the transparency in that? Where is the accountability?

“The Greens welcome the TPB’s decision but removing one bad apple doesn’t change the organisational culture that enabled the tax scandal. The organisational culture remains, the lack of integrity remains – which is why we urgently need greater transparency and stronger procurement protections from corrupt contractors. 

“The Australian Greens introduced a bill last week that would allow the Commonwealth to debar dodgy contractors, like PwC, from entering into government contracts and it would deter unethical conduct.

“The PwC tax scandal was one of the most shocking breaches of public trust in recent memory. The firm is currently under investigation by the AFP, the Tax Practitioners Board and has been referred to the NACC. They have proven themselves to be untrustworthy, conducting their own internal investigations and continuously refusing to cooperate with government inquiries. 

“PwC were never fully banned from getting government work. They still had contracts with government agencies worth at least $11 million throughout the ‘mutual agreement’ period, which lasted just 16 months. This has exposed Australia’s lack of a government-wide exclusion framework as a huge issue.

“When the Government let PwC back into the fold, it betrayed the Australian people who rightly held the expectation that PwC would be held to account for colluding with foreign multinationals to defraud our tax system. This decision was gutless and it has undermined public confidence in government procurement.”

Labor can’t let Australia’s biggest corporations write their own rules to protect their profits, following reports the Business Council is trying to veto a proposal for a net cash flow tax, the Greens say.

“Labor has an abject track record of taking marching orders from big business, and it’s time they stopped,” Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“The BCA doesn’t want high climate targets. It doesn’t want strong environment laws. It doesn’t want action on supermarket price gouging. And now they’re telling Labor to block even the smallest step toward making big corporations pay more tax.”

“The question is whether Labor will finally stand up to their friends and donors in the Business Council.”

Senator McKim said the Productivity Commission’s proposed net cash flow tax has panicked the very corporations that have spent decades dodging their tax responsibilities.

“One in three large corporations don’t pay a cent in tax. Many of the rest hide their profits offshore. It says everything that even a modest proposal has sent the BCA into overdrive.”

“Our priority remains taxing the super profits of coal and gas corporations, who are driving the climate crisis and ripping off Australians. But we’ll look at any reform that helps support clean, productive investments while ensuring the biggest corporations pay their share.”

“Every dollar in tax these corporations avoid is a dollar that doesn’t go into schools, hospitals and housing. Labor needs to decide whether they’re here for the public, or for the profiteers.”

Statement of support for the Victorian Treaty from the First Nations members of the Victorian Greens, we are known as the Blak Greens. Our role is to ensure grassroots voices in the Parliaments of so-called Australia are well heard. We have strong connections with grassroots communities here in so-called Victoria and we speak with them and actively work towards ensuring their voices are heard through Greens policy. We write to send a statement of support for the Victorian Treaty. The history of colonisation and the loss of our homelands, the massacres and frontier wars, and stolen generations are well known in First Nations communities here in so-called Victoria, a Treaty will be the recognition of our sovereignty. The Treaty being signed between the Traditional custodians of this place and the coloniser parliament will go a long way towards seeing that some of the wrongs of the past that have been perpetrated against our people, are recognised and work done on reparations. Nothing can erase the generations of pain, suffering, and injustice our people have carried. Yet this moment is not about forgetting or diminishing that truth. It is about taking a step forward and choosing a path towards change. We thank the Parliament for the work that they have done and for doing the required surrender of some powers from colonisation to the traditional custodians. We thank you and strongly support you and will work with you to ensure the success of the Treaty for Victoria.

The Victorian Greens are proud to support the Treaty Bill, without amendment, which will be introduced to Parliament today, marking the first of its kind in the country and an historic step forward for justice, truth and self-determination.

The landmark legislation is a testament to the leadership and expertise of First Nations communities, and an invitation for every Victorian to walk together towards a better future.

Aboriginal people are the experts when it comes to their communities, cultures and land, and walking with First Peoples on the journey to Treaty is about respecting and embracing this truth.

First Nations members of the Victorian Greens, known as the Blak Greens, have also released a statement of support for the Victorian Treaty, saying it recognises sovereignty and addresses some of the wrongs of the past. 

The Blak Greens state that “while nothing can erase generations of pain, suffering and injustice our people have carried, this moment is not about forgetting or diminishing that truth. It is about taking a step forward and choosing a path towards change.”

The Victorian Greens also thanked the First Peoples’ Assembly, which has spent more than six years establishing the frameworks that will underpin Treaty negotiations, and the Yoorrook Justice Commission, whose Truth-telling reports will be central to the process.

Leader of the Victorian Greens Ellen Sandell 

“This is a historic moment where every Victorian has been invited to walk with First Nations people on this incredible journey – to share in and celebrate the oldest living cultures in the world, and to create a better future together.

“Aboriginal people are the experts for their own communities, and Treaty is about respecting and embracing that truth. Self-determination is how we build better outcomes, because when people are able to make choices about what works best for them, their communities, and their families, based on their own needs, everyone thrives.

“From using local knowledge to care for Country and keeping culture strong, to improving the way services like health and education are delivered – Treaty will deliver stronger communities, stronger connections, and a stronger future for all of us.”

One of the largest hospital projects to be delivered in Greater Western Sydney has reached a major milestone, with construction of the new seven storey building at Nepean Hospital reaching its highest point.

The more than $1 billion Nepean Hospital redevelopment celebrated the construction milestone with a traditional topping out ceremony at the new clinical building.

The Stage 2 redevelopment will deliver a major expansion and upgrade of health services and facilities for Nepean and Blue Mountains communities, and will feature: 

• a new adult intensive care unit
• additional inpatient beds
• medical imaging and nuclear medicine services
• clinical support services including pharmacy and in-centre renal dialysis services
• staff education and training facilities.

The new hospital building will also feature a welcoming new main entry and seamlessly connect to the existing 14 storey hospital tower delivered as part of Stage 1, enhancing access to health services for patients, visitors and staff. 

A new Aboriginal Mudyin (Family) Centre, the first of its kind in the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, will be located near the main entry of the new building and provide a dedicated and culturally safe space for Aboriginal consumers, carers and their families.

The top level of the building will include a new, purpose-built palliative care unit, delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $93 million World Class End of Life Care program. The new palliative care unit will offer more privacy, comfort, and dignity to support people in their final stages of life and ensure they receive the highest quality of care.

Extensive consultation with staff and the local community has shaped the design of the new Stage 2 building to ensure it meets the future health needs of local communities in the Nepean and Blue Mountains region. 

With the concrete structure now complete, work will progress on the formwork, internal fit-out, services installation and building exterior. 

Construction for the Stage 2 building is expected to be completed in late 2026, and will open to patients, staff and visitors following an operational commissioning period. 

The project is being delivered by Health Infrastructure, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, with CPB Contractors as the principal contractor.

The Nepean Hospital Stage 2 redevelopment is just one part of the Government’s health infrastructure pipeline across Western Sydney, which includes:

• $2 billion for the new Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital;
• $790 million for the new Rouse Hill Hospital plus $120 million from the Federal Government;
• $550 million for the Fairfield Hospital Redevelopment;
• $350 million for the Canterbury Hospital Redevelopment; and
• $120 million for additional beds for Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals.

For more information about the project, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/nepeanredevelopment  

Minister for Health Ryan Park: 

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to delivering better health services and facilities for those living in the Nepean and Blue Mountains region. 

“The new Stage 2 building being delivered as part of the more than $1 billion Nepean Hospital Redevelopment will provide the local community with access to world class care. 

“We are one step closer in ensuring local patients and their families have a modern and state-of-the-art facility right at their doorstep.”

Member for Penrith Karen McKeown:

“It is exciting to see the structure of the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment Stage 2 building rise from the ground and reach its highest point.

“When it opens, it will provide Nepean and Blue Mountains communities with enhanced health facilities, closer to home, ensuring our hospital meets the future health needs of our growing region, now and into the future.

“The project is also providing a boost to the local economy during construction, with around 270 workers inducted on the site, to date. It’s also creating opportunities for local suppliers and subcontractors, providing valuable skills and training opportunities for more than 20 apprentices.”

Patients across Kiama and the South Coast are waiting the longest time on record for elective surgery – legacy of Labor’s cuts to the health budget.
 
Independent Bureau of Health Information data shows that in the January-March 2025 quarter, only about half of patients (52.6%) at Shellharbour Hospital were having their surgery on time, compared to 87.6% of patients when the Coalition left office in the Jan-March quarter in 2023.
 
Shadow Minister for Health Kellie Sloane said Shoalhaven Hospital was also performing poorly, with just 61.5% of surgeries performed on time under Labor.
 
“This data shows the impact that the Labor Government’s neglect of Kiama has had,” said Ms Sloane. “The numbers of elective surgeries performed in Shellharbour has been in freefall, dropping 32.3% on the previous year. This is an alarming trend under Labor.”
 
“These are not just statistics; they are real people waiting for life-changing surgery to restore their quality of life.
 
“Whether it’s people in Shellharbour who are forced to wait for overdue cataract surgeries, or huge delays for knee and hip replacement surgeries in Shoalhaven – locals have had enough.”
 
“This region should not be taken for granted, and only the Liberals have the track record of delivering services and support for this community. Labor should not be rewarded for ignoring Kiama and its needs.”